Formulas Fatal to the Flesh is the fifth full-length studio album by death metal band Morbid Angel. The Satanic-themed lyrics of previous albums had been replaced with lyrics about the Old Ones, which would become the primary source of Morbid Angel's lyrical content from this point on, and has some lyrical content written in Sumerian. This is the first album to feature singer/bassist Steve Tucker, replacing David Vincent.
The title refers to the biblical symbol of the Antichrist. The letter "F" is the 6th letter of the alphabet; therefore, it could be read as "6ormulas 6atal to the 6lesh" or 666 for short, the number of the Beast.
Musical style, writing, and composition
The tunings for this record as on Covenant and Domination remained E♭ on six string guitar songs, and B♭ on seven stringed guitar songs.
The album saw considerable changes in tone from Domination. Whereas Domination was more melodic, Formulas is considered more brutal and powerful, characterized by very fast drum tempos, extremely fast blast beats, aggressive riffs, atmospheric solos, and a more demonic growl from Steve Tucker.
"Invocation of the Continual One" is made of unused music the band had composed in its early days in 1984, put together and re-recorded for this album. It is also the only Morbid Angel song Trey Azagthoth does all the vocals for.
Reception
The album was met with mixed critics upon release, but retrospective reception is very positive, due to its role as a landmark for the brutal death metal genre that developed in the late nineties.[citation needed]
Track listing
All songs written and arranged by Trey Azagthoth except "Ascent Through the Spheres" and "Hymnos Rituales de Guerra", written by Pete Sandoval.
No.
Title
Length
1.
"Heaving Earth"
3:54
2.
"Prayer of Hatred"
4:28
3.
"Bil Ur-Sag"
2:30
4.
"Nothing Is Not"
4:44
5.
"Chambers of Dis"
3:30
6.
"Disturbance in the Great Slumber" (instrumental)
2:32
7.
"Umulamahri"
4:34
8.
"Hellspawn: The Rebirth"
2:43
9.
"Covenant of Death"
6:08
10.
"Hymn to a Gas Giant" (instrumental)
1:04
11.
"Invocation of the Continual One"
9:47
12.
"Ascent Through the Spheres" (instrumental)
2:02
13.
"Hymnos Rituales de Guerra" (instrumental)
2:43
14.
"Trooper" (instrumental)
0:55
Total length:
51:38
Limited edition bonus disc
This bonus CD contains all of the isolated guitar solos performed by Trey Azagthoth. A guitar pick is included which is signed by him.
No.
Title
Length
1.
"Heaving Earth Lava"
2.
"Heaving Earth Lava 'Alt'"
3.
"Prayer of Hatred #1 Lava"
4.
"Prayer of Hatred #2 Lava"
5.
"Prayer of Hatred #3 Lava"
6.
"Bil Ur-Sag #1 Lava"
7.
"Bil Ur-Sag #2 Lava"
8.
"Bil Ur-Sag #3 Lava"
9.
"Nothing Is Not Lava"
10.
"Nothing Is Not Lava 'Alt'"
11.
"Chambers of Dis #1 Lava"
12.
"Chambers of Dis #1 Lava 'Alt'"
13.
"Chambers of Dis #2 Lava"
14.
"Chambers of Dis #2 Lava 'Alt'"
15.
"Umulamahri #1 Lava"
16.
"Umulamahri #2 Lava"
17.
"Umulamahri #2 Lava 'Alt'"
18.
"Umulamahri #3 Lava"
19.
"Umulamahri #3 Lava 'Alt'"
20.
"Hellspawn #2 Lava"
21.
"Hellspawn #3 Lava"
22.
"Covenant of Death #1 Lava"
23.
"Covenant of Death #2 Lava"
24.
"Covenant of Death #3 Lava"
25.
"Invocation #1 Lava"
26.
"Invocation #2 Lava"
27.
"Dominate Lava"
28.
"Dominate Lava 'Alt'"
29.
"Dawn of the Angry #1 Lava"
30.
"Dawn of the Angry #1 Lava 'Alt'"
31.
"Dawn of the Angry #2 Lava"
32.
"Burn with Me #1 Lava"
33.
"Burn with Me #1 Lava 'Alt'"
34.
"Burn with Me #2 Lava"
35.
"Burn with Me #2 Lava 'Alt'"
36.
"Burn with Me #3 Lava"
37.
"Burn with Me #3 Lava 'Alt'"
38.
"Eyes to See #1 Lava"
39.
"Where the Slime Live Lava"
40.
"Where the Slime Live Lava 'Alt'"
Personnel
Steve Tucker – bass, vocals
Trey Azagthoth – guitars, keyboards, vocals on "Covenant of Death" and "Invocation of the Continual One"
